Bail set at $1 million for suspect in fatal stabbing

A 19-year-old Chicago man was held in lieu of $1 million bail today after prosecutors and police allege he participated in the fatal stabbing of a 39-year-old man.

Anfernee McCormick, of the 3500 block of West Douglas Boulevard, was charged with first-degree murder in the death of Dorsey Liberty, who was beaten with a metal curling bar and stabbed 14 times on April 19 in the North Lawndale neighborhood, said Cook County Assistant State’s Attorney Jen Hamelly.

At the time, police said Liberty was stabbed after he fell while trying to escape an attacker on the 3500 block of West Douglas Boulevard. Liberty was with a friend, who managed to escape, but later returned and found the 39-year-old.

The friend dropped Liberty off at Mt. Sinai Hospital, where he died as a result of his wounds, police said.

In Cook County bond court, Hamelly said McCormick struck Liberty in the head, back and leg with a metal curling bar while Byron Winters stabbed him repeatedly. The two then fled to an apartment in the area, Hamelly said.

McCormick was arrested on May 24 after he was positively identified as the person who attacked Liberty, according to court documents. Three witnesses also gave McCormick’s name to police, Hamelly said.

Winters also has been charged with first-degree murder, but further information on his case was not immediately available. Another hearing for McCormick is scheduled on May 29.